File Format & Compatibility

Fix Punjabi Text Appears as Gibberish in Microsoft Forms

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

Punjabi text copied from a Word document is displayed as gibberish or an unrecognized language when pasted into Microsoft Forms, despite having the AnmolLipi font installed on the system.

Product: Microsoft Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Copying regional Punjabi text from a desktop document editor and pasting it into an online web form.
Observed behavior: The pasted text fails to retain its Punjabi script and instead displays as unrecognized alphanumeric characters or gibberish.

Before you start

Before proceeding, identify whether your current AnmolLipi font is a legacy (non-Unicode) font, as web browsers require Unicode encoding to display regional text properly.

Solution 1Recommended

Convert Text to a Unicode-Compatible Punjabi Font

Replacing legacy fonts with modern Unicode fonts ensures web platforms like Microsoft Forms can read and display the characters correctly.

Web applications cannot read local legacy fonts that map regional characters to standard English keystrokes. You must use a Unicode font so the web browser understands the exact character you are trying to display.

Copy the original text

Open your Word document and copy the text written in the legacy AnmolLipi font.

Use an online font converter

Open a web browser and search for a free 'AnmolLipi to Unicode converter' tool.

Convert the text

Paste your copied text into the converter and generate the Unicode equivalent.

Paste into Microsoft Forms

Copy the newly converted Unicode text and paste it directly into your Microsoft Forms input field. It will now display correctly.

Tip: Once converted, you can format the text in Word using Unicode-compatible fonts like Raavi or Nirmala UI.

Solution 2

Update the Font Package from the Developer

Legacy font files might lack modern web compatibility. Contacting the developer can provide a working, updated version.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Compatibility

If you frequently encounter formatting or compatibility issues, try WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative that effortlessly handles multiple languages and complex font renderings.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your device.
3. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document to manage your text and fonts seamlessly.

Free, lightweight, and fast office suiteExcellent support for diverse fonts and regional languagesHighly compatible with Microsoft Word formatsFamiliar user interface for a seamless transition

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does AnmolLipi text turn into gibberish online?

AnmolLipi is often a legacy, non-Unicode font. Web platforms like Microsoft Forms require Unicode formatting to properly recognize and display regional characters. Without Unicode, the browser reads the underlying English keystrokes instead of the Punjabi characters.

Can I force Microsoft Forms to use my installed fonts?

No, Microsoft Forms does not support embedding local custom fonts. It relies strictly on standard web-safe fonts and Unicode character encoding to display content universally to all users.

What are some Unicode-compatible Punjabi fonts?

Common Unicode-compatible fonts for Punjabi (Gurmukhi script) include Raavi, Nirmala UI, and Mukta Mahee. Using these fonts ensures your text is readable across different apps and web platforms without converting.

Document & File Issues